What to do in Paris by night?

Looking for a place to go, to have a drink or to dance after a day of visiting the famous monuments in Paris? Discover our visits, walks and night cruises, our venues for shows and celebrations, and the festive areas in North-East Paris…

The bassin de la Villette

Night cruises on the Paris canals

Festive cruises are proposed on the canal de l’Ourcq departing from the bassin de La Villette. Enjoy a drink, dance to the DJ’s electro sets or listen to live music on the boat while admiring the Paris lights shimmering on the face of the water… everything is possible! Discover also cruises along the Seine, a must-do. These cruises are proposed especially when the weather is nice but some are proposed all year long.

Alternative places and temporary “brownfields” in the north east of Paris

The north-east of Paris boasts many cultural and festive venues with their sometimes unusual programme of celebrations, festivals, concerts, and cultural events. Some of these collective and cultural performing sites have taken up residence here such as: 6b Saint-Denis or Villa Mais d’Ici Aubervilliers, others set up temporarily on uncultivated land or “brownfields”, such as the Station, Paris18 or Halle Papin in Pantin.

Dance the night away at one of the biggest electro festivals in Europe

The Weather Summer Festival Paris invites electronic music fans to vibrate to the sounds of the best DJ sets on the stage today. Discover the line-up and get information on the Weather Festival at Le Bourget. The Winter edition took place at the Paris Event Center.

Festive neighbourhoods in the north-east of Paris

Belleville, Ménilmontant, canal Saint-Martin...

The 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements in Paris are where night-owls like to go. Ménilmontant and Belleville are areas known for their concert halls (La Maroquinerie or La Bellevilloise), cafés and night bars.

Sitting on the terrace of a Paris café or along the banks of the canal are very popular on a summer evening in Paris. Around the bassin de La Villette, you can find cinemas, restaurants and bars. Le Point Éphémère, not far from la Villette and on the banks of the canal Saint-Martin propose dance nights, dj sets, exhibitions... The canal Saint-Martin is very busy in the evenings: strollers come to picnic here, take a drink sitting at one of the terraces or on the banks of the canal.

Some hotels and youth hostels allow night-time wandering guests to leave later the next day.

Practical information: night transportation

Paris transport / "petite couronne" metro, tramway and bus all stop around 00h20/00h40 during the week and between 1h20 and 2h in the morning on Fridays, Saturdays and the night before bank holidays depending on the stations. The first metros start again at around 5h30 in the morning. At night, the RATP Noctilien night buses take over. You can also use a vélib’ (bike) or the Autolib’ (car) or take a taxi. Some clubs even offer a private shuttle service right to your hotel door.